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New $338,000 cricket facilities including combined synthetic and turf cricket nets have been opened at Kahibah Oval in Charlestown, NSW which will benefit all levels of cricket in the region, from girls and boys picking up a bat and ball for the first time, to the region’s elite players.

The new facilities will address the shortage of all-year-round nets in Charlestown, Newcastle and the greater Lake Macquarie area and were funded through the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund, Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund and the Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

The Federal Government contributed funds to the project via its $100 million national Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

NSW Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the project is a great example of how the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund is benefiting grassroots cricket across the State.

Minister Lee noted “we’ve provided $6 million to clubs and councils to support more than 200 projects across NSW and we’re proud to see the positive impact on cricket.

“Earlier this year the Legacy Fund supported the construction of new facilities at Wallsend, Stockton and Salamander Bay and it’s fantastic to see the Fund benefiting grassroots cricket across the Hunter.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said these facilities would help ensure cricket in the Hunter remains strong adding “Newcastle has a strong local competition feeding young players into representative teams.

“These facilities will guarantee the region’s legacy as a breeding ground for some of the State’s best cricketers and allow local players to continue to dream of wearing the baggy green or baggy blue.”

Cricket NSW Chief Executive, Lee Germon said this new facility will help to foster the love of cricket, increase participation, and support the player development pathway explaining “this facility will not only provide an outstanding playing and training venue for Charlestown junior and senior teams but has the potential to be a year-round, regional high-performance venue in the Greater Hunter cricket area.

“We are delighted to have partnered with the Federal Government, NSW Government via the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Legacy Fund and Cricket Australia via the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund.

“I’d also like to acknowledge and thank the Charlestown senior and junior clubs for their contribution and efforts in creating a welcoming environment to unite and inspire the community to play and love our game.”

ICC T20 World Cup Acting Chief Executive Michelle Enright said the new facilities will have a lasting positive impact for cricket and the community.

“The Local Organising Committee is delighted to be working in partnership with the NSW Government and Cricket NSW,” Enright said.

“We are thrilled that the Legacy Fund has assisted with the construction of new facilities at Kahibah Oval which will benefit the community well in to the future as a direct legacy of hosting the T20 World Cup.”

The NSW ICC T20 World Cup Legacy Fund is delivering up to $6 million to cricket clubs and councils to support the growth in cricket participation in NSW and ensure a lasting legacy from the Women’s and Men’s T20 World Cups.

Image top: Charlestown Junior Cricket Club members; images centre and above of the official opening of new facilities at Kahibah Oval courtesy of Charleston Junior Cricket Club Facebook

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